May 24 -

SMR Automotive Systems To Expand in St. Clair County

Efforts by the St. Clair County EDA, one of three partners with the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development in the U.S. EDA-funded Regional Exporting Strategies project, have culminated with the announcement by SMR Automotive Systems of a $40 million dollar expansion that is expected to create 350 jobs. The announcement was made at a press conference on May 23.

The hefty expansion includes an upgrade to the company’s current Marysville plant and the purchase of 100,000 square-foot warehouse in Port Huron.

SMR is a worldwide supplier of rear view mirrors and has operations spread across five continents - North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Dan Casey, CEO of the St. Clair County Economic Development Alliance, traces this expansion back to 2006 when he helped provide resources for SMR's predecessor to construct a much-needed paint booth facility.

"We were able to put together a creative package with a local bank that essentially allowed a new paint booth facility to be built in Marysville to provide them with that capacity," said Casey, in a video on the Blue Water Television Network. "That has led to us to where we are today with SMR being able to expand their operations."

May 22 -

U.S. International Trade Administration Touts World Trade Week

The U.S. International Trade Administration has designated this week as "World Trade Week" to highlight U.S. exporting efforts and accomplishments. Exporting success stories are emphasized to illustrate the importance of exporting as an economic development tool at the local and regional level.

Earlier this month, the International Trade Administration reported that more than 300,000 U.S. companies exported goods in 2011, an increase of 8,200 over the previous year. Small and mid-size business (fewer than 500 employees) accounted for 98 percent of U.S. exporters in 2011.

Over 50 companies will receive the Presidential Exporter Award in celebrating export growth in the U.S.